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Editorial: Remembering 9/11

If someone had said on Sept. 10, 2001, that America would be embroiled militarily in affairs in the Middle East for the next 12 years, one would have thought that person to be crazy. Indeed, no one would have dared predict such a scenario even on Sept. 12, 2001.

But the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, unleashed a series of events and circumstances that affect us to this very day. Indeed, it is fair to say that in some respects, the terrorist attack of 9/11 has had a long-lasting impact, both directly and indirectly, on a par with Pearl Harbor, at least in terms of American military engagement throughout the world.

Regardless of whether Congress authorizes the Obama administration to take military action against the Syrian dictatorship, it is obvious that the U.S. never will be able to wash its hands of active involvement in Middle East affairs for a host of political, military, and economic reasons, at least within the lifetime of anyone reading this editorial. The terrorist attack of 9/11 changed the world in many ways, both large and small, and that will continue for the foreseeable future.

But amidst the concerns we all have about the future, let us not forget the immense personal tragedies that occurred on that day when more than 3,000 innocent Americans, many of whom had direct ties to this area, perished because of the acts of a few madmen. One can argue all day about the geopolitical implications of 9/11, but what is undeniable is that more than 3,000 of our fellow citizens gave their lives, many of them heroically, simply because they were Americans who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

So let us remember their sacrifice and pray that never again will we witness such an act of evil.